Welcome to the 2025-26 School Year

 

July 31, 2025 

Hello Cottonwood Creek Elementary Families!  

My name is Drew Francis and it is with great excitement that I welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year.  This will be my 4th year at COT, but I have been in education for 29 years and have been fortunate to have been in various leadership roles over the last 20 years. I have been a teacher in the United States and had an international assignment in Monterrey, Mexico. I served as an educational consultant, an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago, and a school principal. I hope to continue to bring some of those diverse experiences to Cottonwood Creek.  

Additionally, I am fortunate to partner with April Hrovat as the Assistant Principal at COT this year. You can read more about Dr. Hrovat’s CCSD experiences Link. We also have a new face in our office this year.  We would like to welcome Clarice Navarro who will many times greet you at the front door and over the phone. Ms. Navarro started her career as an educator, but has most recently had years of experience working in CO state government. Clarice comes to COT wanting to be connected to our school community.  Melissa Adler will return as the Office Manager. She will continue to bring her corporate Executive Assistant background to support our school. 

I am grateful to be in education where we can have such a positive impact on so many lives every single day. My personal vision over my career has been to inspire students and staff to achieve more than they thought was even possible. In order to achieve that vision, I believe the following must take place: 

• Fully understand the diverse background of your school community.
• Create an atmosphere where students and staff are comfortable taking risks
• Attract, hire, and retain the very best educators.
• Work tirelessly to remove roadblocks for staff and students.
• Support a school that is full of joy, communicates regularly, and is professional. 
• Inspire a school where students, staff, and families are proud to belong to the Cottonwood Creek Elementary School Community. 

On a personal note, my wife Jan and I live in Elizabeth, CO and we have three children; 24, 21, and 18. Our oldest son is a paramedic/firefighter, our middle daughter just graduated from the University of Wyoming, and our youngest son is a senior at Elizabeth HS.  My wife is also a health teacher at a middle school, so there is plenty of school talk at home. We moved to CO 20 years ago and we love it here.  We camp, bike, hike, and explore CO every chance we get.  

We are excited to meet new families and reconnect with returning families over the coming weeks. You can plan on receiving another email tomorrow with lots of logistical information. I look forward to partnering with you and your family as the Principal of the Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. 

 

A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.  Brene Brown

Sincerely,

Mr. Drew A.  Francis  -  Principal    Cottonwood Creek Elementary School

Office Manager - Melissa Adler - MAdler@cherrycreekschools.org -  720-554-3200